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    Mountain Living

    Move over Aspen: A more low-key summer retreat emerges as a Houston party haven

    Jane Howze
    Aug 4, 2014 | 12:26 pm

    Although Aspen is the most publicized summer retreat for Houstonians seeking to beat the heat, Park City, Utah, is quietly making its own name. Only a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City's airport, with a casual down home vibe, a wide range of real estate pricing and an endless array of summer activities, this town of less than 10,000 full-time residents attracts more Houstonians who visit or own second homes than does Go Texan Day.

    Close to 100 Houstonians were on the coveted invitation list, including a large golfing group from The Woodlands and members of the Houston Symphony board.

    Park City is chock full of Houstonians (and Texans for that matter) who visit the area's many ski areas (Park City's Deer Valley is ranked as nation's No. 1 ski resort) during the winter, only to return for longer visits in the summer.

    Houstonians Janet and Graham Baker first visited Park City in 1999 for a ski vacation, and were wowed by the friendliness of the people and the quaintness of the town. When Graham retired from ExxonMobil in 2006, the couple decided that Park City was the ideal place to indulge their passions for skiing, golf and other outdoor activities, and to provide a gathering place for family and friends.

    "Of course we love the tremendous variety of the ski slopes, but we also love the Sundance Film Festival, July 4th, the Park City Arts Festival, outdoor symphony performances — and of course the people. There is so much to love about Park City," Baker said.

    In 2005, the Bakers hosted their first open house to coincide with the popular annual Park City Arts Festival. As Park City attracted more Houstonians, the Baker's open house has grown as more of their friends visit the town and bring their friends. This year close to 100 people were on the highly-coveted invitation list, which included a large golfing group from The Woodlands, former energy colleagues and members of the Houston Symphony board on which Graham serves.

    Many visitors live but a block away from each other in Houston but only see each other in Park City, where the pace is slower and if you are from Houston you are instant friends. And if you are friends of the Bakers you are instantly friends of their friends.

    Mingling with the crowd were Houston Symphony executive committee president Bob Peiser and wife Nancy, retired Exxon attorneys Susan Rowe and Al Galik, retired Shell attorney Lynda Irvine and her husband, Porter & Hedges' John Irvine, former Houstonians Millie and Allan Bradley, Cathy and Bob Grossman, Joe Cleary, Linda and Phil Pace, Betsy and Ed Goldstein, John Mann, Mark Tressler and Paul Taylor.

    A mountain view.

    A view Houstonians in Park City Utah August 2014 Houstonians in Park City Utah August 2014
      
    Photo by Jane Howze
    A mountain view.
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    Pas de Deux Dining

    Houston Ballet's gourmand bash delights with chef-dancer collabs

    Eric Sandler
    May 23, 2025 | 11:30 am
    Houston Ballet Raising the Barre 2025
    Photo by Melissa Taylor
    Houston Ballet danced united with some of Houston's top chefs for Raising the Barre.

    What began as a young professionals’ soirée has gracefully pirouetted into one of Houston’s most anticipated culinary-meets-culture nights.

    And this year’s Raising the Barre delivered a standing ovation-worthy performance. Hosted at Caracol, the fan-favorite tasting event drew nearly 160 guests on May 4, where balletomanes (and those who love them) mingled, noshed, and toasted to an artful cause.

    Co-chaired by Duyen and Marc Nguyen and Dr. Tatiana Sorkin and Michel Coret, the springtime soirée raised nearly $110,000 for Houston Ballet, supporting its mission to inspire a lasting love for dance through performance and education. But this wasn’t your typical rubber-chicken charity dinner. Here, dancers became muses and sous chefs, joining forces with Houston’s culinary stars to serve up an inspired four-course meal, each dish a storytelling moment in its own right.

    Each course hit the table like a pas de deux.

    Chef Aaron Bludorn kicked things off with soloist Danbi Kim, channeling her Korean childhood through a delicate sesame-crusted hamachi, balanced by gochujang vinaigrette and marinated cucumbers. Chef Chris Williams and demi-soloist Estheysis Menendez served a soul-warming lobster stew with plantain fufu and jalapeño pesto, a dish rooted in global tradition and personal memory, honoring the dancer’s Cuban heritage and her mother’s love of herbs and wellness.

    Then came the entrée: Chef Hugo Ortega teamed with principal Chase O’Connell for picanha a las brazos, a coulotte steak celebration dressed in pasilla mole and earthy mushroom zacahuil. The duo riffed on Chase’s ritualistic pre-performance steak dinners, adding Ortega’s signature Latin American soul.

    Pastry powerhouse Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar partnered with first soloist Gian Carlo Perez to close out the show with a guava pastelillo topped with cream cheese ice cream and honey, a nod to his Cuban childhood sweets.

    Adding to the evening’s thoughtful twist, those lush floral centerpieces didn’t just wilt away post-party. Thanks to Houston nonprofit Bloom Again, the arrangements were repurposed and delivered to local hospitals and care facilities, offering cheer beyond the ballroom.

    Among those soaking up the delicious scene were Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Ann Bean, Dr. Patrick Benge, Susan Binney, Jennifer Kushner, Kristy Bradshaw, Lindsey Brown, Andrea Medina, Lenni and Bill Burke, Anne and Albert Chao, Jo Furr, Mitchell George and Stanley Curtis Jr., Paula Whitten-Doolin, Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce, Carey Kirkpatrick, Deborah and Edward Koehler, S. Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Liliana Soltero and Mike Hawkins, Yana and Warren McFatter, Kris and Richard McGee, Teal and Jeffrey Reamer, Julie Kent, Jim Nelson, Melissa Reihle, and Laura and Brannon Robertson.

    Houston Ballet Raising the Barre 2025
      

    Photo by Melissa Taylor

    Houston Ballet danced united with some of Houston's top chefs for Raising the Barre.

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